A co-worker today said she had told her husband about my organic gardening, the tomatoes in particular, and he wanted to know if I would sell him some of my canned tomatoes. Someone else asked me that last year, and both times I found myself without an adequate answer.

I grow tomatoes for myself, for my food supply. I could buy store tomatoes, but the quality of homegrown, and the care I take in canning isn't calculable when someone asks about buying them from me. I eat this stuff! Who knows what price should be attached? I think I'll simply give her a couple of pints to take to him, and suggest that I can't price them because they are my food supply, but I'll happily talk him through growing and canning his own tomatoes. If he'd like.

This last week I've used a several pints, making sauces for lasagna and enchiladas. One of the lasagnas is in the freezer and one is being eaten this week. The enchiladas have been good for lunches and dinners. I think this guy is educable - he bought some corn gluten meal to use to control weeds, but since his wife asked about it first, I was able to tell her that it's too late now for that use. If he's willing to fool with corn gluten meal, maybe I can talk him through a few pots of tomatoes, and another organic gardener is born.

SRS